"People are always comparing me to Lynn Swann and John Stallworth," said Ward, mentioning two Pittsburgh receivers who are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. "Those are great comparisons, but something I didn't have that they had was a Super Bowl ring. They made a name for themselves in the Super Bowl. Me winning this honor, I kind of feel like I'm in their class now."

Ward made those comments Monday during a news conference where he received the most valuable player award for Super Bowl XL. With 5 catches for 123 yards and a touchdown, Ward sparkled despite the erratic play of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (9 for 21, 123 yards and 2 interceptions).

Last year, the Steelers were determined to win a championship after going 15-1 during the regular season, but they lost to New England in the American Football Conference title game.

This year, Ward shed no tears after his most challenging campaign ended with a championship. Ward had a rocky start to his season, holding out for the first 15 days of training camp in a contract dispute with the Steelers, his only N.F.L. team. Ward, who with 7,030 receiving yards is second to Stallworth (8,723 yards) in Steelers history, wanted financial security entering his eighth season and the final year of his contract. He took a hard line, saying he would not report without a new deal.

Fortunately for the Steelers, his teammate Jerome Bettis acted as a mediator and called Ward almost every day.

"One thing he told me is, 'You can't take it personal,' " Ward said. "It was just strictly business. I tried to approach it businesslike. I really didn't want to make it a media circus. It's something that's a part of football. It happens."

A lot of people with the Philadelphia Eagles wish wide receiver Terrell Owens had taken the same approach. Instead of alienating some teammates and the front office, Ward had a heart-to-heart conversation with Coach Bill Cowher and reported to training camp without a new deal. The Steelers and Ward eventually agreed to a five-year, $27.5 million contract extension. While Owens's contract dispute helped sabotage Philadelphia's season, Ward helped the Steelers win a championship.

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"You certainly don't like to have the holdout situation -- it's a no-win situation for anybody," Cowher said. "I'm just very glad it came to a mutual agreement. He's a tough player, he's a dependable player, and he's a really good player. You get a core of guys like that, it rubs off. I like tough people, and he's a tough player."

Ward said his personality would have made it difficult for him to leave Pittsburgh.

"I couldn't picture myself in another uniform," he said. "I just thought I was a perfect fit for the offense we ran, for the city of Pittsburgh, a blue-collar town. That's kind of how I think of myself, a blue-collar player."

In Pittsburgh's offense, it is often difficult for a wide receiver to compile impressive numbers. The Steelers like to run the football, and they prefer to run even more once they get the lead. But Ward has learned to make the most of his opportunities. His fourth-quarter touchdown in the Super Bowl capped Pittsburgh's victory. Wide receiver Antwaan Randle El, acting as if he were running a reverse, spotted Ward open and streaking toward the end zone. Randle El threw on the run, and Ward made the easy catch to give Pittsburgh a 21-10 lead with about nine minutes to play.

Ward said the touchdown was like redemption. Earlier in the game, he jumped high and got both hands on a pass in the end zone but failed to come down with the ball. It was a difficult chance, but Ward said he should have held on.

"I make that catch in my sleep 100 times a night," he said. "I put so much pressure on myself to make all the catches. I just kept telling myself, 'I'm going to get another opportunity to make a play.' "

During Monday's news conference, Ward was given his choice of Cadillacs as the winner of the Super Bowl's most valuable player award. It was a job that Ward seemed to thoroughly enjoy. He walked over to an easel, looked at the choices, playfully scratched his head and finally checked the box for an Escalade.